2025 Porsche 911 Carrera

The updated exterior design focuses on aerodynamics and aesthetics

The exterior redesign remains true to the 911’s iconic silhouette, which evolved over the decades but remains recognizable. The front profile welcomes a couple of major changes. There is a new bumper with larger intakes, two horizontal slats, and a more aggressive splitter. These features present a sportier touch and significantly improved cooling and aerodynamic credentials.

It also comes with newly designed Matrix LED headlamps with unique Four-Point Graphic DRLs. Buyers can also outfit new HD Matrix LED headlights, which use 32,000 light points to illuminate up to 600 meters on the road ahead.

The bumper is resculpted at the rear for improved airflow and a sleeker appearance, but the overall shape remains largely unchanged. The LED headlights and taillights are updated with a new signature lighting pattern.

While its traditional teardrop shape remains untouched, the wider rear track and fenders improve stability and add more aggression. However, since the design changes are subtle, only the eagle-eyed can truly differentiate the new model from the previous one.

Porsche is known for its customization, and the Carrera pampers buyers with various upgrades. Its exterior color choices are vast, with four groups. The Contrast group lets you choose between white and black, while the Shades group brings four metallic colors for $840.

If you want unique colors, the Dream group offers five colors, costing $1,500, and the Legends set comes with three colors, priced at $2,980. If you want a one-off shade, the $14,190 Preparation for Paint to Sample and $31,060 Paint to Sample Plus schemes bring unlimited color options. However, the eye-watering price could also get you a brand new Hyundai Elantra N Line.

19-inch front and 20-inch rear, five twin-spoke Brilliant Silver Carrera wheels with summer tires are standard. If you want upgrades, 20- and 21-inch wheels, including RS Spyder, Classic, and Exclusive Design wheels with carbon blades, are available for customization. Buyers looking for specific colors will also appreciate the presence of various painted wheels. An Aerokit Package upgrades the rear with a fixed-wing spoiler to add a sportier look and further improve the aerodynamics.

As for dimensions, the Carrera rides on the same 96.5-inch wheelbase, but its body has grown longer by 0.9 inches. Otherwise, its width and height remain untouched.

The cabin gets new tech upgrades while standard rear seats have been dropped

The 2025 911 Carrera incorporates important updates in the cabin. While the dashboard design remains the same, the additions focus more on functionality. The layout gets updated with two displays, physical toggle switches, chunky AC vents, and a center console with buttons and rotary dials. Plastic silver inlays are standard, but you can opt for leatherette parts with contrast stitching, carbon fiber, Paldao wood, or aluminum trims.

Unlike the outgoing model year, the 2025 iteration comes with a two-seater setup, deleting the rear row to improve acceleration and make more storage space. Don’t worry; Porsche still offers a rear row, upping it to four, as a no-cost option to accommodate children or occasional adult passengers.

Black cloth seats are standard, but leather front seats come as a no-cost upgrade. If you want two-tone leather seats, they’re available at $700. Should you want to increase the luxury, a full-leather interior starts at $4,530, and Club leather seats start at $6,310.

Four-way power and heated sports seats are fitted by default. You can opt for Sports Seats Plus with thicker bolsters for $810 and 14-way power sports seats with memory settings for $2,380. 18-way adaptive sports seats will set you back $3,830, and ventilated front seats add another $840. However, these will add more weight to the car, so it might compromise on its nimble nature.

Another major update lies in the infotainment system. The 911 finally gets a 12.6-inch fully digital curved instrument cluster for the first time, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen sitting on the dashboard for entertainment. The PCM interface includes wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM with 360L, voice assist, and navigation.

An eight-speaker audio setup and wireless charging are standard. If you want a better audio setup, a $1,600 Bose 12-speaker audio system delivers crisp audio quality. For audiophiles who don’t mind spending, a Burmester 13-speaker surround audio system is available, but it costs a whopping $5,560.

While luxurious and sporty, it’s not the most practical, as the trunk offers only 4.8 cubic feet. But with the rear seats gone, there is room to store more of your belongings. Rivals like the Chevy Corvette Stingray are more practical, with 12.6 cubic feet, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 43 lends up to 11.3 cubic feet.

A more powerful flat-six setup translates to faster performance

The 911 Carrera’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six unit receives a new intercooler from the Turbo models and two turbochargers from the outgoing GTS models. As a result, the engine now makes 388 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque - nine horsepower more than the previous model.

With more power, the 2025 model takes 3.9 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph and reach the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds. The Sport Chrono Package shaves the 0-60 mph timing to 3.7 seconds and the quarter-mile to 12.1 seconds. However, we expect it to be around 0.2-0.3 seconds faster in independent testing. It now offers a top speed of 183 mph, two mph faster than before.

As for fuel efficiency, the 992.2 Carrera returns a WLTP combined economy between 23 mpg. In real-life conditions, though, we expect the economy to remain similar to the 2024 model, which delivered 18 mpg (city) and 24 mpg (highway). It packs a 16.6-gallon fuel tank serving roughly 400 miles of highway range.

If you’re a fan of Boxer engines, we assume you know their uniqueness and the fact that Porsche and Subaru are the only ones to outfit their vehicles with them. The Boxer-six’s horizontally opposed cylinders deliver a distinctive exhaust note, and the design merits a lower center of gravity to improve the driving experience.

However, Boxer engines are more complex and need higher maintenance costs over the long run. Their horizontally opposed layout needs regular maintenance, which can be more labor-intensive and time-consuming if problems occur.

A perfect sports car for daily driving and occasional track duties

The 911 benchmarks the sports car segment when it comes to handling and drivability. Similarly, the new Carrera Coupe delivers an amazing driving experience. It’s only available with a rear-wheel-drive configuration that purists will appreciate because of its balanced weight distribution and engaging driving experience. However, the lack of an optional all-wheel-drive system limits its traction and performance on wet or slippery surfaces.

The standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system continuously adjusts the damping forces to provide optimal control and comfort in any driving situation. It’s widely praised for providing a smooth ride without hampering overall handling. But this setup may feel too compliant if you want a truly track-focused experience.

The electromechanical power steering system is lauded for its precision and feedback, providing the driver with a direct connection to the road. However, we would love a hydraulic steering setup for more feedback and a more traditional experience.

Braking performance is a mettle of this car. Its 13.7-inch front rotors are equipped with six-piston calipers. The rear wheels have the same discs with four-piston calipers. Both combine to provide decent deceleration at high speeds and during slow drives. If you’re driving on the race track, the brakes aren’t sufficient, and the optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) aren’t available with this trim.

For those seeking even sharper handling and performance, the optional Sport Chrono Package and Sport Exhaust system are worth considering. The Sport Chrono Package adds launch control, a rev-matching downshift function, and a more aggressive throttle calibration, while the Sport Exhaust system not only enhances the exhaust note but also improves breathing for a slight performance boost.

An optional front-lift kit raises the ground clearance by 1.5 inches at up to 21 mph to facilitate driving on rough roads and bumpy surfaces. An optional Aerokit package adds a front spoiler, side skirts, and a fixed wing-type spoiler to improve aerodynamics and high-speed handling.

What’s there for safety?

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS have tested the present or outgoing 911 because of its high price, so their safety ratings are unavailable. Porsche equips the 2025 model with a very basic set of standard features like cruise control, park assist, warning and brake assist, and a driver awareness system.

Buyers needing more safety features can get Adaptive Cruise Control, surround-view camera, and lane change assist via the Premium Package, which should have been standard in this car, considering its six-figure cost. Apart from these, a $2,450 night vision camera improves nighttime visibility whereas $2,870 InnoDrive function with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keep adds level-two autonomous driving capabilities to the car.

Rivals like the AMG GT 43 and Chevrolet Corvette offer more standard features and cutting-edge optional driver assist features.

Safety features highlights

• Cruise control

• Park Assist

• Warn and brake assist

• Driver awareness system

Options

• Night Vision Assist - $2,450

• Surround View with Active Parking Support - $1,620

• Remote Park Assist with Lane Change Assist and 3D Surround View - $3,040

• Adaptive Cruise Control - $1,720

• Porsche InnoDrive with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keep - $2,870

• Lane Change Assist - $870

How’s the warranty?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe includes a four-year or 50,000-mile basic warranty. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer-six engine comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty, and corrosion is covered for 12 years. In addition, buyers get complimentary maintenance for one year or 10,000 miles.

Mercedes-AMG offers a similar basic and powertrain warranty, but Chevrolet covers it for five years/60,000 miles. Lexus, on the other hand, promises the same for six years or 70,000 miles.

Warranty highlights

• 4 years/50,000 miles basic warranty

• 4 years/50,000 miles powertrain warranty

• 4 years/50,000 miles roadside assistance

• 4 years/50,000 miles paint warranty

• 12 years/unlimited miles corrosion warranty

• 1 year/10,000 miles complimentary maintenance

How does it compare against rivals?

2025 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe is a formidable rival to the 911 Carrera Coupe. While its pricing hasn’t been disclosed yet, we expect it to start at around $115,000, making it cheaper than the Porsche. It packs a potent 2.0-liter inline-four engine, installed with an e-supercharger derived from AMG’s Petronas Formula One team.

Outputs are rated at 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet. While higher on power, the GT 43 takes 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph and offers a top speed of 174 mph. That makes it slower than the Porsche by 0.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and nine miles less top speed.

The AMG GT 43 boasts a sleeker, more modern exterior design that some may find more appealing. Its fresher looks, iconic GT grille and longer hood promise a supercar aesthetic compared to the tamed demeanor of the Carrera. Inside, you get a 12.6-inch instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen. Additional strong points include more standard creature comforts and safety features, larger cargo space, and a vast set of standard safety features.

2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT

The Chevy Corvette is one of the most iconic American sports cars. The 2025 Stingray 3LT trim is expected to cost around $85,000, making it the most affordable option in this comparison.

Even though it’s cheaper than the German competitors, it sports a massive 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine capable of producing 490 horses and 470 pound-feet. This makes it the brawniest in the competition. Chevy boasts that the Stingray takes just 2.9 seconds to hit 0-60 mph and has a top speed of 194 mph.

Unlike the Germans, its interior is too driver-focused, and you can’t opt for rear seats. The cockpit offers Nappa leather seats with GT2 bucket seats with power adjustability, heated and ventilated front seats, carbon fiber interior trim, a 12-inch cluster, an eight-inch touchscreen, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system. Therefore, it is better equipped than the Porsche.

While it includes a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, the powertrain covers five years or 60,000 miles with complimentary maintenance on the first visit.

Conclusion: Porsche’s legendary Carrera gets a performance boost and a refined design

The latest 911 Carrera Coupe balances performance and daily usability. It delivers swift acceleration and is equally impressive, making it a thrill on winding roads or track days. Its compliant ride and well-appointed interior ensure it remains a comfortable daily driver. The available Cabriolet models add a layer of versatility, allowing open-air motoring when desired.

Higher trims are a better fit for those seeking the ultimate in performance. However, this trim’s modest output makes it better for daily use. It’s a do-it-all sports car that can confidently drive on the tracks and offer easy drivability daily.

However, rivals are cheaper and better equipped with more interior features, creature comforts, and safety amenities. Also, the GT 43 and Corvette provide roomier cargo space. Ultimately, the decision revolves around what you want. The Corvette Stingray is better if you want speed and a cheaper sports car. If you want cutting-edge features, the AMG GT 43 is a no-nonsense option.

FAQs

What is the starting price of the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe starts at $120,100, making it a compelling value proposition compared to its rivals.

What engine powers the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that produces 388 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque.

How fast can the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and reach a quarter-mile within 12.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono package.

What are the exterior design changes for the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera features subtle exterior updates, including revised front and rear fascias, wider front intakes, new Matrix LED headlights/taillights, and updated wheel designs.

What are some of the key competitors to the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera?

The main competitors to the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera include the Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT, and Lexus LC.